Developing a Safety Culture through Effective Management Systems: Considering Outcomes from Various Management System Models

Abstract

The critical role of Safety Management Systems (SMS) in developing a robust safety culture is widely acknowledged, yet the specific components that most effectively drive cultural outcomes require further investigation. This study investigates the relationship between the effectiveness of key SMS components and safety culture maturity within organizational settings. Employing a mixed-methods design, the research integrates quantitative analyses, including multiple regression to examine the predictive power of various SMS elements, with qualitative insights from thematic analysis of interviews with safety leaders and employees. The findings reveal that leadership commitment and accountability, employee participation and consultation, and proactive risk assessment are the most significant predictors of a positive safety culture, while overly bureaucratic components like documentation and operational control show a negligible direct impact. The study highlights that the success of an SMS in fostering culture is contingent upon strategic prioritization of human and proactive factors over procedural adherence. Practical recommendations include intensifying visible leadership engagement, formalizing empowered employee participation channels, and revitalizing management review processes to focus on cultural and leading indicators. These findings provide a clear framework for organizations to optimize their safety management systems to achieve genuine and enduring cultural transformation.